Fluid treating mechanism and method



Nov. 10, 1936. w, BOWEN 2,060,166

FLUID TREATING MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed Nov. 12, 1934 INVENTOR:

1115 AT TO RNEYS 115711212112 gaemerflamm Patented Nov. 10, 1936 PATENT OFFICE FLUID TREATING MECHANISM AND METHOD William Spencer Bowen, Westfield, N. J.

Application November 12, 1934, Serial No. 752,625

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices for treating fluids and embodies, more specifically, an improved fluid treating mechanism through which fluid may be directed to treat the same effectively in a desired fashion. More particularly, the invention relates to fluid treating mechanisms of the type wherein one fluid is directed into intimate relationship with another fluid or fluid bearing solid particles in suspension, a predetermined treatment being effected by the manner in which the fluids are brought into intimate association. The structure provided by the present invention is adapted for use in cooling or washing substances, as well as carbonating and treating in other fashions.

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a fluid treating mechanism by means of which fluids may be subjected to desired physical and/ or chemical reactions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid treating mechanism of the above character wherein a substance to be treated is directed into the mechanism and subjected to certain operations by means of a treating substance which is also introduced thereinto.

The above objects are attained by providing a device wherein the treated substance is introduced into the device in the form of a solid circular spray which engages certain walls within the mechanism, the treating fluid being introduced into the device in such fashion as to have intimate contact with the substance to be treated where it strikes the walls within the device, the spray of fluid thus serving as a barrier to the free flow of the treating fluid therethrough.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in section taken in a vertical plane passing through the axis of a device constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, the plane of the section being indicated at II in Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an'enlarged sectional view of the spray head shown in Figure 1.

With reference to the above drawing, a housing or treating member is shown at In and is provided with a bottomTwall II which slopes downwardly and inwardly to an outlet I2. The top member I3 of the device is provided with a central opening I4 beneath which a downwardly extending cylindrical wall or tunnel I5 is provided. A treatingfiuid may be introduced into the tunnel I5 by means of an elbow or other fitting I6 which is preferably formed as a spiral to impart a whirl to the fluid about the axis of the tunnel I5. A spray head I1 is secured in the 5 fitting I6 by means of a suitable flanged portion 4 I8, the spray head I'I being provided with a cap or bonnet I9 within which a supply pipe 20 is secured.

A fan 2| is mounted upon the top member I3 and may receive fluid from any suitable source to direct the same through the whirl creating fitting I 6. The fluid flows from the elbow I6 through the tunnel I5, the lower portion of which is formed with an outwardly diverging 15 bell member 22 having a flaring extremity 23. The member 22 preferably extends downwardly into the housing ID in such fashion that the fluid flowing therefrom must reverse its course and flow upwardly through a substantial portion of the housing ID in order that it may escape through pipe 24.

Adjacent the top of the housing ID, a series of transverse bafiie plates 25 are provided, these plates being mounted upon a ring or supporting member 26 and having a central sleeve 21 formed thereon to receive the tunnel member I5. The baflie members 25 thus are presented to all of the fluid which flows upwardly through. the housing I0. and causes liquid and solid particles carried thereby to be removed effectively. Make-up liquid may be introduced into housing I0 through a suitable fitting 28.

The spray head I! is formed with an axial stem 29 whichis threaded at so in the bonnet 35 I9. A nut or other device 3| may be formed on the top of the stem in order that it' may be turned effectively. The stem 29 is formed with a spiral thread 32 which is received within the spray head I1 and imparts a whirl to the substance directed therethrough in order that uponv being discharged the substance may flow in such fashion as to facilitate treatment thereof. The spray head I! is formed with an annular seat 33 with which a valve plate 34 is adapted to cooperate. The valve plate 34 is secured upon the stem 29 and is thus moved with respect to the seat 33 to vary the valve opening as desired. In this fashion, the fluid will not only be, directed outwardly in a circular spray but the fluid will have a whirling motion about the axis of the valve stem 29.

In addition to the imparting of a whirling motion to the fluid to be treated, the treating medium introduced through the fitting I6 is subjeotecl to a whirling action which may be in a direction contrary to the direction of whirl of the substance to be treated. This action will cause the fluids to be directed outwardly by centrifugal force and the treating fluid will thus be forced through the treated fluid adjacent the walls of the tunnel 15, at which time a violent scrubbing and intermingling of the fluid results.

The impact of the solid circular whirling spray from the nozzle upon the wall l5 produces a powerful atomizing effect at the point where the treating fluid, due to centrifugal force, is most dense. Thus, not only is the treating fluid forced to contact the fluid from the nozzle but such contact involves the maximum surface area of the treated fluid and the maximum density of the treating fluid.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawing,

it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fluid treating device comprising a housing having an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof. means to introduce a substance to be treated adjacent the top thereof, a tunnel within the housing and adjacent to and about the introducing means, means to discharge fluids from adjacent the top of the housing, means to introduce a treating fluid into the tunnel, and means to discharge the substance to be treated from the first introducing means in a whirling spray, the means to introduce the treating fluid being formed to impart a whirl thereto.

2. A fluid treating device comprising a housing having an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof, means to introduce a substance to be treated adjacent the top thereof, a tunnel within the housing and adjacent to and about the introducing means, means to discharge fluids from adjacent the top of the housing, means to introduce a treating fluid into the tunnel, and means to discharge the substance to be treated from the first introducing means to form a solid whirling spray between the introducing means and the tunnel, the means to introduce the treating fluid being formed to impart a whirl thereto in a direction opposite to that of the whirling substance.

3. A fluid treating device comprising a housing having an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof, a cylindrical tunnel adjacent the central top portion thereof, means to introduce a substance to be treated into the tunnel to form a solid spray within the tunnel to produce a fluid barrier therein of the substance to be treated, means to introduce a treating fluid into the tunnel, a fluid outlet adjacent the top of the housing, and a member on the tunnel extending continuously outwardly and downwardly to form an expansion zone for the substance and the treating fluid whereby draft losses within the device will be reduced.

4. The method of treating fluid comprising introducing a substance to be treated into a relatively restricted tunnel within a housing and adjacent the top thereof, the substance being introduced adjacent the axis of the tunnel and in the form of a solid spray Within the tunnel to produce a fluid barrier therein of the substance to be treated, directing a treating fluid axially of the tunnel and through the fluid barrier therein, removing the treating fluid adjacent the bottom of the housing, reversing the direction of motion of the treated fluid within the housing, and removing. the treated fluid ad-- jacent the top of the housing.

5. The method of treating fluid comprising introducing a substance to be treated into a relatively restricted tunnel within a housing and adjacent the top thereof, the substance being introduced adjacent the axis of the tunnel and in the form of a solid spray within the tunnel to produce a fluid barrier therein of the substance to be treated, directing a treating fluid axially of the tunnel and through the fluid barrier therein, expanding the treated fluid from the tunnel, removing the treating fluid adjacent the bottom of the housing, reversing the direcvtion of motion of the treated fluid within the housing, and removing the treated fluid adjacent the top of the housing.

6. The method of treating fluid comprising introducing a substance to be treated into a relatively restricted tunnel within a housing and adjacent the top thereof, the substance being introduced adjacent the axis of the tunnel and in the form of a solid spray within the tunnel to produce a fluid barrier therein of the substance to be treated, imparting a whirl to a treating fluid and directing the same axially of the tunnel and through the fluid barrier therein, removing the treating fluid adjacent the bottom of the housing, reversing the direction of motion of the treated fluid within the housing, and removing the treated fluid adjacent the top of the housing.

7. The method "of treating fluid comprising introducing substance to be treated into a relatively restricted tunnel within a housing and adjacent the top thereof, the substance being introduced adjacent the axis of the tunnel and in the form of a solid whirling spray within the tunnel to produce a whirling fluid barrier therein of the substance to be treated, imparting a whirl to a treating fluid in. a direction opposite to the whirl of the treated substance and direct ing the treating fluid axially of the tunnel and through the fluid barrier therein, removing the treating fluid adjacent the bottom of the housing, reversing the direction of motion of the treated fluid within the housing, and removing the treated fluid adjacent the top of the housing.

WILLIAM SPENCER BOWEN. 

